A DEPRESSING EFFECT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 3

A DEPRESSING EFFECT.

INVERCARGILL, This Day. There was evidence at the Wmton stock sale yesterday of the depressing effect of the prolonged dry weather on the value of stock. , A fair number of sheep and cattle w-ere forward, most of sellers being in difficulties, either as to finding pasture or water for the animals. Water in 'the paddocks is very scarce, and a number of cattle are being forced on to the market. In consequence yesterday's market Was ptagnant Such lots of fheep as were sold, realised front 3s to 4s less than they would have brought a few weeks ago. For example, a few lines of two and four-tooth wethers brought from 9s to 10s. The Winlon district is reported to be feeling the' drought severely. EXPORT OF BUTTER. AUCKLAND, 6th February. For tho fortnight ending Saturday, there were in the cool store, for export by the s.i>. Tnrakina on 13th February, a total of 9964 boxes of butter for London, and there are 700 boxes fov South Africa, and 55 for the South Sea Islands, a total of just on 268 tons. -During tho past four weeks, owing to the dry weather, there has been a decrease in export of fc\s tons A DANGEROUS CROSSING. AUCKLAND, 6th February. A sequel to the collision between a lailway engine and a waggonette at Station-road, Avondale, on 23rd January, took place at the Police Court this afternoon, when the driver of the latter vehicle, a young man, named Henry Farrar, was charged with having failed to take notice of the warning, "Stop ! look out for ,the engine," and further with having driven over the ciosting at other than a walking pace. Farrar appeared in court with his arm in a sling. Sergeant Hendry defcribed tho crossing as a "rather dangerous one," and as the defendant had buffered considerably, he did not press for a heavy penalty. It was desirable, however, that drivers should observe the utmost caution in driving their vehicles over such crossings. Tho Bench convicted the defendant and ordered him to, pay costs. ESCAPEE RECAPTURED. NEW PLYMOUTH, 6th February. The prisoner Joseph Thompson, who escaped from Now Plymouth gaol on Tuesday, was captured this evening by Constable Hickman and Warder Downes near Manaia, having travelled over 60 miles of rough country, principally, at night. On the occasion of his previous escape from Waiotapu prison camp, he got away a distance of 70 miles in two days and one night. ALLEGED ARSON. NAPIER, 6th Februaiy. .Mai tin Johnson was committed for trial at the Magistrate's Court, in connection with the charge of arson arising out of the recent Hastings fire. Bail was allowed, accused in £100, and ono L BUiety of £200.